Minister moots ‘work on holiday’ to meet
shortage of doctors
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has mooted the idea of “work on holiday,” a concept which will allow specialist doctors to visit hill stations as guests of the State government to offer their services. Referring to the shortage of medical professionals in the country, especially in the far off and hilly areas, the Minister said there was a need for “out of the box” suggestions to tide over the problem.
He suggested “work on holiday,” which would allow senior doctors to work while resting. “They could deliver their professional services as cardiologists, gynaecologists, neurologists, anaesthetists etc. while simultaneously enjoying the State government’s hospitality with their families. This should be considered by them as an extension of their service
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has mooted the idea of “work on holiday,” a concept which will allow specialist doctors to visit hill stations as guests of the State government to offer their services. Referring to the shortage of medical professionals in the country, especially in the far off and hilly areas, the Minister said there was a need for “out of the box” suggestions to tide over the problem.
He suggested “work on holiday,” which would allow senior doctors to work while resting. “They could deliver their professional services as cardiologists, gynaecologists, neurologists, anaesthetists etc. while simultaneously enjoying the State government’s hospitality with their families. This should be considered by them as an extension of their service
Govt. Urges SC to spare 46 coal blocks
The Centre on 1st September told the Supreme Court that it has no objection if the court cancels allocation of coal blocks allocated between 1993 and 2010. However, it wants to save 46 coal blocks, as the power situation in the country is very critical.
Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi told the bench headed by Chief Justice of India RM Lodha that the government is not in favour of constitution of a committee to recommend on the fate of illegal coal blocks, rather it has no objection to cancel all of them and go for immediate auction.
Rohtagi submitted that out of total 218 coal blocks allocations, 80 have been already cancelled by the government even before the Judgment passed by this court.
He said that the power situation in the country is very critical and at least 46 blocks should be spared as 40 of them are already functional and rest are ready to commence production.
The Apex Court has held all coal blocks that were allocated y the screening committee between 1993 and 2010, as illegal. Seeking the government and all parties to file their submissions through affidavits within a week, the bench fixed September 9 as the next date for further hearing.
The Centre on 1st September told the Supreme Court that it has no objection if the court cancels allocation of coal blocks allocated between 1993 and 2010. However, it wants to save 46 coal blocks, as the power situation in the country is very critical.
Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi told the bench headed by Chief Justice of India RM Lodha that the government is not in favour of constitution of a committee to recommend on the fate of illegal coal blocks, rather it has no objection to cancel all of them and go for immediate auction.
Rohtagi submitted that out of total 218 coal blocks allocations, 80 have been already cancelled by the government even before the Judgment passed by this court.
He said that the power situation in the country is very critical and at least 46 blocks should be spared as 40 of them are already functional and rest are ready to commence production.
The Apex Court has held all coal blocks that were allocated y the screening committee between 1993 and 2010, as illegal. Seeking the government and all parties to file their submissions through affidavits within a week, the bench fixed September 9 as the next date for further hearing.
AP crop loan waiver applicable for loans up to
December 31, 2013
The Andhra Pradesh Government on 1st September notified that crop loans and agricultural gold loans disbursed for crop purposes up to December 31, 2013 are eligible for cover under the loan waiver scheme.
In an order issued, the Government has notified that crop, agricultural loans disbursed for crop, including the loans converted to medium term loans due to calamities, including interest rate up to December 2013 are eligible for cover.
The State Government through three notifications, including the one by the State Finance Ministry on August 14 had announced norms for debt relief to farmers, women self help groups. It had also issued operating guidelines for the implementing agencies.
The order also states that loans which were outstanding as on December 31, 2013 would be eligible for waiver even if they were subsequently repaid to bank or cooperative.
The Andhra Pradesh Government on 1st September notified that crop loans and agricultural gold loans disbursed for crop purposes up to December 31, 2013 are eligible for cover under the loan waiver scheme.
In an order issued, the Government has notified that crop, agricultural loans disbursed for crop, including the loans converted to medium term loans due to calamities, including interest rate up to December 2013 are eligible for cover.
The State Government through three notifications, including the one by the State Finance Ministry on August 14 had announced norms for debt relief to farmers, women self help groups. It had also issued operating guidelines for the implementing agencies.
The order also states that loans which were outstanding as on December 31, 2013 would be eligible for waiver even if they were subsequently repaid to bank or cooperative.
Nalanda University resumes its classes after
800-year break
The classes in Nalanda University were started on 1st September; this University was an ancient centre of learning in India, and among the first great universities in recorded history. It was also the first ever residential university in the world, holding capacity for thousands of students to stay on campus in dorms. In the 12th century, the university was decimated by invaders. But now, for the first time in 800 years, the spirit of Nalanda University revives again as classes begin at its newly established campus in Rajgir, just 12km away from the original site. Nalanda University was founded as early as the 5th century AD in the north eastern Indian state of Bihar. During its heyday, Nalanda could boast of its capacity to accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 professors.
One of the interesting aspects of Nalanda University was its intake of ‘international students’ from as far away as Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, as well as Southeast, Central, and Western Asian regions. Nalanda University’s appeal to scholars from these regions was due to the fact that it was one of the most important seats of learning in the Buddhist world. But despite its focus on the study of Buddhism, students at Nalanda University were allowed to pursue other areas of secular knowledge, such as the fine arts, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, politics, and even the art of war. As a result, numerous illustrious thinkers were associated with the university. The real blow to Nalanda came with the arrival of Muslim invaders in 1197 led by Mohammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Qutbuddin Aibak, who were intolerant of other religions and cultures. Much of the university was demolished, its priceless library was burnt down, and many of its scholars, including Buddhist monks, were mercilessly slaughtered, in what was one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism in India.
The university’s chancellor, Amartya Sen, is confident that the new Nalanda University will be a success. Whilst the original Nalanda University took about 200 years to achieve prominence, Sen believes that the new university will be able to establish its place in the academic world in just a few decades.
The classes in Nalanda University were started on 1st September; this University was an ancient centre of learning in India, and among the first great universities in recorded history. It was also the first ever residential university in the world, holding capacity for thousands of students to stay on campus in dorms. In the 12th century, the university was decimated by invaders. But now, for the first time in 800 years, the spirit of Nalanda University revives again as classes begin at its newly established campus in Rajgir, just 12km away from the original site. Nalanda University was founded as early as the 5th century AD in the north eastern Indian state of Bihar. During its heyday, Nalanda could boast of its capacity to accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 professors.
One of the interesting aspects of Nalanda University was its intake of ‘international students’ from as far away as Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, as well as Southeast, Central, and Western Asian regions. Nalanda University’s appeal to scholars from these regions was due to the fact that it was one of the most important seats of learning in the Buddhist world. But despite its focus on the study of Buddhism, students at Nalanda University were allowed to pursue other areas of secular knowledge, such as the fine arts, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, politics, and even the art of war. As a result, numerous illustrious thinkers were associated with the university. The real blow to Nalanda came with the arrival of Muslim invaders in 1197 led by Mohammad Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Qutbuddin Aibak, who were intolerant of other religions and cultures. Much of the university was demolished, its priceless library was burnt down, and many of its scholars, including Buddhist monks, were mercilessly slaughtered, in what was one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism in India.
The university’s chancellor, Amartya Sen, is confident that the new Nalanda University will be a success. Whilst the original Nalanda University took about 200 years to achieve prominence, Sen believes that the new university will be able to establish its place in the academic world in just a few decades.
Telangana to go green, to plant 230 crore
seedlings
Telangana is embarking upon an ambitious plan to plant 230 crore plants, with a view to increase the forest cover to 33 per cent from 25.16 per cent, under ‘Telangana Ku Haritha Haaram’ or Green necklace for Telangana programme. The State will deploy Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing images to take stock of the forest cover and to monitor the afforestation programmes.
Of the 230 crore plants, 130 crore will be planted outside of forest areas. The HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Authority) area will take a share of 10 crore plants, with the remaining 120 crore seedlings will be planted in other parts of the State.
Telangana is embarking upon an ambitious plan to plant 230 crore plants, with a view to increase the forest cover to 33 per cent from 25.16 per cent, under ‘Telangana Ku Haritha Haaram’ or Green necklace for Telangana programme. The State will deploy Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing images to take stock of the forest cover and to monitor the afforestation programmes.
Of the 230 crore plants, 130 crore will be planted outside of forest areas. The HMDA (Hyderabad Metropolitan Authority) area will take a share of 10 crore plants, with the remaining 120 crore seedlings will be planted in other parts of the State.
Centre unveils strategy to tackle Kala-azar
The Centre on 2nd September unveiled a kala-azar rapid diagnosis kit as part of its strategy to combat the disease which predominantly strike Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The kit developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
An insecticide, synthetic Pyrethroid, directed specifically at the sand fly, which is known vector source of kala-azar, would also be supplied for spraying on the walls of homes in the endemic regions. The strategy also involves carrying out active searches for people with symptoms of the disease in the 54 affected districts of the four States. Thirty-three districts in Bihar, 11 of West Bengal, four in Jharkhand and six districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh of Bihar are affected by Kala-azar.
The Centre on 2nd September unveiled a kala-azar rapid diagnosis kit as part of its strategy to combat the disease which predominantly strike Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The kit developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
An insecticide, synthetic Pyrethroid, directed specifically at the sand fly, which is known vector source of kala-azar, would also be supplied for spraying on the walls of homes in the endemic regions. The strategy also involves carrying out active searches for people with symptoms of the disease in the 54 affected districts of the four States. Thirty-three districts in Bihar, 11 of West Bengal, four in Jharkhand and six districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh of Bihar are affected by Kala-azar.
Kala azar also known as Visceral leishmaniasis
It is a, black fever, and Dumdum fever
It is the most severe form of leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania
genus.
This disease is the second-largest parasitic
killer in the world (after malaria), responsible for an estimated 500,000
infections each year worldwide.
Kaloji cultural centre planned in Warangal
The government of Telangana will construct a cultural centre named after Kaloji Narayana Rao in Warangal as a tribute to the celebrated people’s poet on the occasion of his birth centenary falling on September 9. The decision was taken by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao The cultural centre is being planned at Balasamudram near Warangal in three acres land on the lines of Ravindra Bharathi auditorium. Apart from an auditorium with 2,000 seating capacity, the cultural centre should have a huge statue of Kaloji and a park, the Chief Minister directed the officials Department of Culture.
It was also decided to allot land to Hanmakonda Kaloji Cultural Centre to organise the programmes by Kaloji Foundation. The Chief Minister will participate in the programme at Warangal and the official centenary celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi here on September 9.
Kaloji Narayana Rao more popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna was an Indian poet, freedom fighter, Anti-fascist and political activist of Telangana. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992
The government of Telangana will construct a cultural centre named after Kaloji Narayana Rao in Warangal as a tribute to the celebrated people’s poet on the occasion of his birth centenary falling on September 9. The decision was taken by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao The cultural centre is being planned at Balasamudram near Warangal in three acres land on the lines of Ravindra Bharathi auditorium. Apart from an auditorium with 2,000 seating capacity, the cultural centre should have a huge statue of Kaloji and a park, the Chief Minister directed the officials Department of Culture.
It was also decided to allot land to Hanmakonda Kaloji Cultural Centre to organise the programmes by Kaloji Foundation. The Chief Minister will participate in the programme at Warangal and the official centenary celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi here on September 9.
Kaloji Narayana Rao more popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna was an Indian poet, freedom fighter, Anti-fascist and political activist of Telangana. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992
Lokpal search panel gets freedom of choice
The Department of Personnel and Training has notified amendments giving autonomy to the Lokpal search committee to shortlist and recommend names independently for selection of Chairman and members of the anti-corruption body.
The amendments act as a course correction after the former Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas opted out from heading the search committee in March 2014, citing lack of autonomy. Eminent jurist Fali Nariman too had turned down the post of a member of the panel for that reason.
Justice Thomas had objected to the provision that the search committee should only shortlist candidates from a list provided by the department.
The amendment made in Rule 10 of the Search Committee Rules removed this roadblock by omitting the words “from among the list of persons provided by the Central Government in the Department of Personnel and Training.”
The Department of Personnel and Training has notified amendments giving autonomy to the Lokpal search committee to shortlist and recommend names independently for selection of Chairman and members of the anti-corruption body.
The amendments act as a course correction after the former Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas opted out from heading the search committee in March 2014, citing lack of autonomy. Eminent jurist Fali Nariman too had turned down the post of a member of the panel for that reason.
Justice Thomas had objected to the provision that the search committee should only shortlist candidates from a list provided by the department.
The amendment made in Rule 10 of the Search Committee Rules removed this roadblock by omitting the words “from among the list of persons provided by the Central Government in the Department of Personnel and Training.”
SC monitors Ganga clean-up
Unhappy with the government’s affidavit setting out its plans to clean the Ganga, the Supreme Court on 3rd September said it wanted to monitor the progress made in efforts to restore the river and asked for a roadmap.
The affidavit said professionals from seven IITs were preparing a comprehensive Ganga River Basin Management report. A report would be filed by December-end. It said purification of the Ganga was a national priority. Restoring the ecological sanctity of the river would be the prime focus and a major step towards that would be creating awareness of river conservation and ensuring people’s participation.
Unhappy with the government’s affidavit setting out its plans to clean the Ganga, the Supreme Court on 3rd September said it wanted to monitor the progress made in efforts to restore the river and asked for a roadmap.
The affidavit said professionals from seven IITs were preparing a comprehensive Ganga River Basin Management report. A report would be filed by December-end. It said purification of the Ganga was a national priority. Restoring the ecological sanctity of the river would be the prime focus and a major step towards that would be creating awareness of river conservation and ensuring people’s participation.
4-member ministerial panel to decide on green
regulator
The government on 4th September formed a panel of four ministers on setting up a national regulator for the environment. The four are Prakash Javadekar (environment and forests), Nitin Gadkari (road transport), Ananth Kumar (chemicals and fertilizers) and Piyush Goel (power, coal and renewable energy).
The Supreme Court had on January 6 this year directed the government to appoint a national regulator under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, by end-March; later, more time was given. On taking charge of his portfolio, Javadekar sought more time from the court to examine the issue.
The government on 4th September formed a panel of four ministers on setting up a national regulator for the environment. The four are Prakash Javadekar (environment and forests), Nitin Gadkari (road transport), Ananth Kumar (chemicals and fertilizers) and Piyush Goel (power, coal and renewable energy).
The Supreme Court had on January 6 this year directed the government to appoint a national regulator under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, by end-March; later, more time was given. On taking charge of his portfolio, Javadekar sought more time from the court to examine the issue.
Andhra Pradesh's new capital around Vijayawada
city
The Andhra Pradesh government on 4th Septembeer said it would make a new capital city for the truncated state in the areas around Vijayawada. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu moved a resolution in the state legislative Assembly to this effect, later endorsed.
It has proposed to acquire the needed land from farmers through a land pooling mechanism, encouraging people to participate and benefit from development of a capital city.
According to the AP Reorganisation Act, the state government has the final authority to decide on the new capital but in consultation with the Centre. It is not clear if the Centre was consulted before declaring Vijayawada as the centre around which the new capital would be built.
The five-member Sivaramakrishnan committee on the subject had suggested splitting the capital city’s locations and functions. It had recommended against the idea of a single city hosting the entire capital city functions and strongly recommended distribution of the location of top government offices, including the high court, across various places in the state.
About Vijayawada
The Andhra Pradesh government on 4th Septembeer said it would make a new capital city for the truncated state in the areas around Vijayawada. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu moved a resolution in the state legislative Assembly to this effect, later endorsed.
It has proposed to acquire the needed land from farmers through a land pooling mechanism, encouraging people to participate and benefit from development of a capital city.
According to the AP Reorganisation Act, the state government has the final authority to decide on the new capital but in consultation with the Centre. It is not clear if the Centre was consulted before declaring Vijayawada as the centre around which the new capital would be built.
The five-member Sivaramakrishnan committee on the subject had suggested splitting the capital city’s locations and functions. It had recommended against the idea of a single city hosting the entire capital city functions and strongly recommended distribution of the location of top government offices, including the high court, across various places in the state.
About Vijayawada
Located on the banks of Krishna river in
Krishna district of south coastal Andhra, Vijayawada is about 300 km from
Hyderabad. With a population of over a million as per 2011 census, Vijayawada
is a major commercial hub.
Infrastructure-wise, the city is blessed with a
thermal power plant and a unique railway line that connects the northern and
southern parts of the country. Any capital would prefer to have unhindered
supply of water.
The bridges on Krishna river, the
Vijayawada-Amaravati-Mangalagiri ring roads make a further case for the to-be
capital.
Mangalagiri, Amaravati, Kondapalli, Mylavaram,
which abound Vijayawada have lots of available land. If the neighbouring Guntur
and Tenali are added to the equation, the emerging area will be bigger than
Hyderabad.
There is an airport situated at the nearby
Gannavaram. The Central Government has already assured the state that the
Gannavaram airport will be developed on the lines of a big airport.
Suicide rate highest among youngsters in India:
WHO
Youngsters in the 15-29 years age group accounted for the highest rate of suicide per 100,000 populations in India during 2012, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report published recently. The report also found India registering the highest estimated number of suicides in the world in 2012.
According to the report……………
Youngsters in the 15-29 years age group accounted for the highest rate of suicide per 100,000 populations in India during 2012, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report published recently. The report also found India registering the highest estimated number of suicides in the world in 2012.
According to the report……………
258,075 people committed suicide in India in
2012. Out of this, 99,977 were women and 158,098 were men. In the age group of
15-29 years, the suicide rate was 35.5 per 100,000 during the year, whereas
people between 30-49 years 28 persons out of 100,000 committed suicide.
The overall rate of suicide in India is low at
21.1 compared with other countries.
The rate of suicide per 100,000 people in Sri
Lanka is 28.8. In Guyana and North Korea it is 44.2 and 38.5, respectively.
The WHO report also revealed that one person
commits suicide every 40 seconds globally, while, about 800,000 people die by
suicide every year.
The annual global suicide rate is 11.4 per
100,000 people.
However, in countries such as China, the rate
is much lower at 7.8 per 100,000. Similarly, in Malaysia, only three per
100,000 committed suicide.
Pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are
among the most common methods of suicide globally.
Suicide by intentional pesticide ingestion is
of particular concern in rural agricultural areas in the south-east Asian
region, the report noted.
About 75 per cent of suicides occur in low- and
middle-income countries.
The report points out that in high-income
countries, mental disorders are present in up to 90 per cent of people who end
up committing suicide. However, studies from China and India show that mental
disorders are less prevalent at 60 per cent among those who commit suicide.
Relief to under trials in jails
The Supreme Court on 5th September ordered the release of those languishing in jails and awaiting completion of trials and who have served more than half the maximum sentence for the offence they have been charged with. To identify such under trials, a bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha directed district judges to visit jails once a week during October-November this year. The district judges are expected to file reports in this regard at the end of November.
It asked registrars of high courts to collect data from jails and send reports based on these to the registrar-general of the Supreme Court. The court will take up these reports on December 8. The court also directed the government to come up with a road map to fast-track the criminal judicial system. It expressed regret at the lack of budgetary support for jail infrastructure.
According to National Crime Records Bureau data of the 385,135 prisoners in India at the end of 2012, under trials accounted for 66.2 per cent. In states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Meghalaya, under trials accounted for more than 80 per cent of prison inmates. Most of them see prolonged imprisonment even for petty crimes, as they aren't able to apply for bail due to ignorance, poverty or abandonment by families.
NEWS study on MangrovesThe Supreme Court on 5th September ordered the release of those languishing in jails and awaiting completion of trials and who have served more than half the maximum sentence for the offence they have been charged with. To identify such under trials, a bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha directed district judges to visit jails once a week during October-November this year. The district judges are expected to file reports in this regard at the end of November.
It asked registrars of high courts to collect data from jails and send reports based on these to the registrar-general of the Supreme Court. The court will take up these reports on December 8. The court also directed the government to come up with a road map to fast-track the criminal judicial system. It expressed regret at the lack of budgetary support for jail infrastructure.
According to National Crime Records Bureau data of the 385,135 prisoners in India at the end of 2012, under trials accounted for 66.2 per cent. In states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Meghalaya, under trials accounted for more than 80 per cent of prison inmates. Most of them see prolonged imprisonment even for petty crimes, as they aren't able to apply for bail due to ignorance, poverty or abandonment by families.
According to a recent study of mangrove forests in Sunderbans has revealed a change in their vegetation pattern, with the high salt-tolerant Avicennia species being edged out by Ceriops decandra, a relatively less-salt tolerant variety of mangrove, suggesting an evolution of the mangroves.
The study titled ‘Benchmark Studies on the Status of Mangrove Forest’ has been conducted by the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS), sponsored by the Sunderban Biosphere Reserve under the ‘Mangrove for Future’ theme of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
A change in the mangrove species may lead to change in biodiversity, ecology species variation and finally to the variation in gene pool, Ajanta Dey, project director (NEWS) said.
The Sundarbans is a natural region in Bengal. It is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sunderbans is approximately 10,000 km2 of which 60% is located in Bangladesh with the remainder in India. The Sunderbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
